Why does the Tesla Model X have Gullwings?

"JR1" (type35bugatti) 02/09/2015 at 14:10 • Filed to: Tesla Model X

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Seems like a stupid impracticality to me. Furthermore I don't think it would fit in 90% of American garages.

Sam > JR1 02/09/2015 at 14:12

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Because it can? Also, no more door dings, as the doors open pretty much vertically.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > JR1 02/09/2015 at 14:13

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Because Elon "I do what I want" Musk? :)

For Sweden > JR1 02/09/2015 at 14:13

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Space saving and marketing.

If they wanted space saving without marketing, it would have sliding doors.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Sam 02/09/2015 at 14:13

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except for when the other guy DINGS YOU!

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > JR1 02/09/2015 at 14:16

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For take off.

GhostZ > JR1 02/09/2015 at 14:16

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I think there was a big thing about it, but it has to do with visibility, side crash test and joint weight. The gullwings weigh significantly less while providing the same crash performance.

Gullwings are actually better in tight spaces than traditional doors, also.

Does that mean it isn't still a stupid hype choice? No, but it may not be wholly impractical.

dogisbadob > JR1 02/09/2015 at 14:17

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It's like a time machine, and Tesla is supposed to be like the future or something

HammerheadFistpunch > JR1 02/09/2015 at 14:20

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Word on the street is 7 feet required clearance....which is more clearance than my garage has...Which takes me off the list.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > JR1 02/09/2015 at 14:21

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Why wouldn't it? Why doesn't every car just come with them in the first place?

scoob > JR1 02/09/2015 at 14:26

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I hate all these crossovers and "SUVS" that look like the car they're based on but with a 500% vertical stretch.

Doug DeMuro > JR1 02/09/2015 at 14:27

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They claim it will fit in most garages. The doors are double hinged and supposedly it'll work in a traditional 8 foot garage. Sadly it will not work in my garage because it's too narrow.

I think it has gullwings because at this point they've committed to them. It's like when Bugatti committed to making the Veyron go 400kph. Once you've done it, you gotta follow through, no matter how much engineering it takes.

E. Julius > JR1 02/09/2015 at 14:31

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They're "falcon wings" according to the Tesla website.

Snooder87 > scoob 02/09/2015 at 14:33

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Why?

facw > JR1 02/09/2015 at 14:41

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That looks much easier for kid/car seat wrangling than a traditional door. Sliding door is just as good though, but perhaps they couldn't make it work for this form factor.

BeaterGT > JR1 02/09/2015 at 14:56

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So short people can't close them once they are opened.

BigBlock440 > JR1 02/09/2015 at 15:14

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http://greencarreports.kinja.com/its-gotta-be-t…

Maybe?

ranwhenparked > JR1 02/09/2015 at 15:29

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For the same reason the Model S has an optional rear facing 3rd row seat - Elon Musk wanted it that way and wouldn't accept any arguments.

Its very doubtful that you can point to any market research studies indicating enormous pent up demand for a full-size luxury hatchback with a retro station wagon style seating arrangement or a crossover with retro sports car style gullwing doors, but, then, there probably weren't many studies showing demand for 26,000+ all-electric luxury cars a year in the US either.

Rico > Doug DeMuro 02/09/2015 at 15:30

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They claim that it doesn't open any wider than your average door but what they failed to understand is sometimes you can't open your door fully and have to squeeze into a 3/4 open door, can't do that when the damn thing opens upwards.

Also I think you're right, because they've committed to it there's no turning back and I think this was a mistake on their part. To their credit doors like this would make getting your kids in and out very easily, car seats included.

sketchcat > For Sweden 02/09/2015 at 15:43

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BOOM!

there it is.

JR1 > Doug DeMuro 02/09/2015 at 15:46

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No matter how long it sets up back either I suppose. Because of the gullwings I think the X has turned into a serious case of automotive blue balls.

JR1 > ranwhenparked 02/09/2015 at 15:48

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If one thing is for sure it is to have faith in Elon and his crazy ideas.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > E. Julius 02/09/2015 at 15:48

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JR1 > GhostZ 02/09/2015 at 15:48

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I didn't know it was supposed to improve safety but considering how safe the S is that argument would make sense.

JR1 > scoob 02/09/2015 at 15:49

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I frankly like them quite a bit. A commanding road view is a nice sight to behold.

JR1 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 02/09/2015 at 15:50

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Stupid bean counters

GhostZ > JR1 02/09/2015 at 15:50

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I think it's about rollover and side impact protection, where electric cars have less of an advantage than gasoline ones since the area for crumple zones are about the same.

JR1 > BigBlock440 02/09/2015 at 15:51

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That is kinda cool

JR1 > facw 02/09/2015 at 15:51

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Well sliding would be kinda like a minivan and I doubt Musk wants any similarities between the X and a minivan.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch 02/09/2015 at 15:54

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you have less than 7 feet? must be a pretty short garage. a standard garage normally has about 9 feet of height if not more. I have about 10 feet on mine and and it's just a basic garage.

HammerheadFistpunch > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 02/09/2015 at 16:00

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i have EXACTLY 7 feet, though a little more inside, in fact I could raise mine to 9 feet without too much trouble.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch 02/09/2015 at 16:04

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Looks like you will have to park your Model X outside then. Good thing you can warm it up with your cell phone.

E. Julius > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/09/2015 at 16:12

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Haha I totally forgot about those sketches!

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > JR1 02/09/2015 at 16:23

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Because: Green Flight Energy. Backseat passengers flap the doors hard enough, in unison, and you are in flight!

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > JR1 02/09/2015 at 17:01

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It has gullwings because a little bit of crazy can be good.